Last night I dreamed of my father

Last night I dreamed of my father

He was as elusive in the night as he ever was

And has been in my night thoughts since he was gone

Last night I dreamed of my father

But he did not speak

Did not speak to me

As once my grandfather did

I heard Poppie’s voice ring out

And spoke to him in my half-waking reality

A dream within a dream until awakened

Connected to heaven for one soothing moment

My father was nowhere to be found

Tho’ everywhere I looked for him

Just one step ahead out of sight was he

And never did I catch up

And yet he was my ride home

Perhaps he is waiting

Just out of sight

Over the hill

Beyond the horizon

Waiting for me

Telling me he is there

He signals to me even in daylight

Sends me messages to let me know

That though his body is cold in the ground

His soul lingers still

Calling to me

A photograph of him sent in the mail

His death certificate fallen to the garage floor

The first was a crystal spinning light against my wall

A prism of hope

A promise not to be left behind

I do not talk to him as others do

I grow used to the lonely train whistle

And it does not shake me as it once did

But the bagpipes, oh the pipes

Never will they lose their thrill.

Days and months and years pass

My father is with me still.